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The differences between assembly inspectors and assembly associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assembly associate has an average salary of $29,234, which is higher than the $28,624 average annual salary of an assembly inspector.
The top three skills for an assembly inspector include hand tools, line assembly and inspection results. The most important skills for an assembly associate are hand tools, math, and basic math.
| Assembly Inspector | Assembly Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $28,624 | $29,234 |
| Hourly rate | $13.76 | $14.05 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 32,924 | 28,002 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An assembly inspector is primarily in charge of inspecting products, usually furniture and fixtures, to ensure compliance with production standards. Their responsibilities typically include examining surfaces to identify any dents or damages, conducting measurements and assessments, marking identified issues, reviewing documentation, and maintaining records, producing detailed reports for teams and managers. Moreover, as an assembly inspector, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's production standards and policies.
In manufacturing facilities, an assembly associate is responsible for assembling product components according to guidelines and diagrams. Their daily tasks often include preparing and processing products, operating machines, maintaining records, and adhering to schedules and production goals. They are also responsible for attending regular meetings and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas, discarding trash properly. Moreover, as an assembly associate, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with co-workers and adhere to the company's safety guidelines and policies.
Assembly inspectors and assembly associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Assembly Inspector | Assembly Associate | |
| Average salary | $28,624 | $29,234 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $35,000 | Between $23,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Fargo, ND |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Northrop Grumman | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an assembly inspector and an assembly associate in terms of educational background:
| Assembly Inspector | Assembly Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between assembly inspectors' and assembly associates' demographics:
| Assembly Inspector | Assembly Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% | Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.6% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 13.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |